Tag: Peter Woods

Three Tigers earn Freshman All-American honors

Clemson’s freshman class was one of the best in the country in 2023.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did a phenomenal job recruiting their 2023 class, with multiple true freshmen having a tremendous impact on their team. 

On Tuesday, three of these Tigers were recognized by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) as they announced their 2023 Freshman All-America Team. Of the 32 members, the Tigers and Georgia led the way with three selections. 

Peter Woods was the Tigers’ top recruit in the class, and he played like it. The defensive tackle was credited with 27 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a forced fumble in 307 snaps over 12 games (two starts). He was a force inside for the Tigers. 

T.J. Parker, on the other hand, was the Tigers’ top-edge rusher this season as a true freshman. Parker was credited with 41 tackles (12.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 457 snaps over 13 games (three starts). His 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023 broke Clemson’s true freshman record (12.0 by Myles Murphy in 2020) and tied for the national lead among freshmen.

In the secondary, safety Khalil Barnes was a massive contributor. Barens was the first Clemson player in the Dabo Swinney era to record multiple forced fumbles and multiple interceptions in a freshman season. In 2023, he was credited with 41 tackles (5.0 for loss), six pass breakups, a team-high three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery (which he returned 42 yards for a touchdown) in 499 snaps over 13 games (seven starts). 

Below is a look at the full list of freshman All-Americans.

OFFENSE (13)

QB Noah Fifita, Arizona (5-11, 195, RFr., Huntington Beach, Calif.)
RB Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan (5-11, 210, RFr., Aurora, Ill.)
RB Makhi Hughes, Tulane (5-11, 205, RFr., Birmingham, Ala.)
WR Nic Anderson, Oklahoma (6-4, 207, RFr., Katy, Texas)
WR Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii (6-2, 175, Fr., Euless, Texas)
WR Eric Singleton Jr., Georgia Tech (5-11, 173, Fr., Douglasville, Ga.)
WR Eugene Wilson III, Florida (5-10, 170, Fr., Tampa, Fla.)
TE Arlis Boardingham, Florida (6-3, 248, RFr., Van Nuys, Calif.)
T Earnest Greene III, Georgia (6-4, 320, RFr., Los Angeles, Calif.)
T Francis Mauigoa, Miami (6-6, 330, Fr., Ili’ili, American Samoa)
G Cayden Green, Oklahoma (6-5, 316, Fr., Lee’s Summit, Mo.)
G Shadre Hurst, Tulane (6-2, 305, RFr., Cartersville, Ga.)
C Parker Brailsford, Washington (6-2, 275, Mesa, Ariz.)

DEFENSE (14)

DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (6-3, 270, Fr., Miami, Fla.)
DL TJ Bush, Liberty (6-2, 255, Fr., Woodridge, Va.)
DL Nate Johnson, App State (6-5, 230, Fr., Gaffney, S.C.)
DL T.J. Parker, Clemson (6-3, 255, Fr., Phenix City, Ala.)
DL Peter Woods, Clemson (6-2, 315, Fr., Alabaster, Ala.)
LB CJ Allen, Georgia (6-1, 235, Fr., Barnesville, Ga.)
LB Anthony Hill, Texas (6-3, 234, Fr., Denton, Texas)
LB Ben Roberts, Texas Tech (6-3, 230, RFr., Haslet, Texas)
LB Cade Uluave, California (6-1, 230, Fr., South Jordan, Utah)
CB D’Angelo Ponds, James Madison (5-9, 162, Fr., West Park, Fla.)
CB Raion Strader, Miami (Ohio) (6-0, 180, Fr., Pittsburgh, Pa.)
S Khalil Barnes, Clemson (6-0, 195, Fr., Athens, Ga.)
S Caleb Downs, Alabama, 6-0 (203, Fr., Hoschton, Ga.)
S Dillon Thieneman, Purdue (6-0, 205, Fr., Westfield, Ind.)

SPECIALISTS (5)

K Peyton Woodring, Georgia (5-10, 175, Fr., Lafayette, La.)
P Ryan Eckley, Michigan State (6-2, 205, RFr., Lithia, Fla.)
KR DeAndre Buchannon, Georgia Southern (5-11, 175, Fr., Atlanta, Ga.)
PR Zacharia Branch, USC (5-10, 175, Fr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
AP Kevin “KC” Concepcion, NC State (5-11, 187, Fr., Charlotte, N.C.)

Schools: Clemson 3, Georgia 3, Florida 2, Miami 2, Oklahoma 2, Tulane 2, Alabama 1, App State 1, Arizona 1, California 1, Georgia Southern 1, Georgia Tech 1, Hawaii 1, James Madison 1, Liberty 1, Miami (Ohio) 1, Michigan State 1, NC State 1, Purdue 1, Texas 1, Texas Tech 1, USC 1, Washington 1, Western Michigan 1.

Conferences: ACC 7, SEC 6, Big 12 4, Pac-12 4, Sun Belt 3, American Athletic 2, Big Ten 2, Mid-American 2, CUSA 1, Mountain West 1, Independents 0.

True Freshmen: 22; Redshirt Freshmen: 10.

5 Clemson players to watch closely in Gator Bowl

Here are five Clemson players to keep a close eye on during Friday’s Gator Bowl versus Kentucky.

As 2023 draws to an end, Clemson will play its final game of the college football season on Friday when it takes on Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.

Clemson (8-4) enters Friday on a four-game winning streak after starting the season 4-4. Kentucky (7-5), on the other hand, has dropped five of its last seven.

Records aside, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is expecting the Wildcats to bring their all.

“You come to Clemson, that’s every single game. You’re going to get everybody’s best every single week,” Swinney said on Thursday. “We talk about that all the time. It doesn’t matter who we play or where we play or what time we play. Whoever we play, we’re going to get their best.”

That said, here are five Clemson players to keep a close eye on when the Tigers take on the Wildcats at noon on Friday:

Clemson led the country in snaps played by freshmen in 2023

According to PFF, Clemson had the most snaps played by freshmen this season in the country.

As you all know by now, Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did a phenomenal job recruiting their 2023 class, and it showed on the field this season.

Left and right, we saw freshmen playing at a high level and contributing significantly. Freshmen were making plays, whether it was Peter Woods and T.J. Parker on the defensive line or Khalil Barnes and Avieon Terrell in the secondary.

According to PFF, Clemson actually had the most snaps played by freshmen this season, and it was by a wide margin. Clemson freshmen played 3,991 snaps this season, with the next closest being rivals South Carolina with 3,147. There is no note of whether this only includes Power 5 teams or not, only that the Tigers lead.

One thing to note is that they do contradict themselves here. While they listed Clemson as No.1, they’ve also said Iowa State freshmen have played 4,896 snaps this season, which is a good bit more than Clemson. It is a bit confusing with the lack of clarification on whether this list is solely limited to true freshmen or not.

Regardless, Clemson freshmen balled this season, and the future is bright for this program.

Three Clemson defenders named 247Sports true freshman All-Americans

Clemson’s 2023 recruiting class was stacked, with three defenders earning 247Sports True Freshman All-American honors.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did something really, really well throughout 2022-2023. They recruited one of the best 2023 classes in all of college football, and it showed this season with the tremendous play of this freshman class. 

All over the field and on both sides of the ball, we saw true freshmen step up and play some excellent football for this program. While many wanted the Tigers to soak up talent in the portal, Swinney opted to let this freshman class prove their worth, and they did that and then some. 

Three Tigers freshmen, in particular, stood out the most. Three Clemson defenders made 247Sports’ true freshman All-America team on Tuesday.

Here is a look at each of those three and what writer Chris Hummer had to say about them.

Peter Woods named Freshman Interior Defender of the Year

College Football Network has named Peter Woods the freshman interior defender of the year.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football staff did a phenomenal job with their 2023 recruiting class, with defensive tackle Peter Woods being one of their top performers this season. 

College Football Network recently revealed their 2023 freshman All-American college football team and individual honors, with Woods being honored as the Freshman Interior Defender of the Year. An excellent honor for Woods, he has been one of the most impressive freshmen in the country this season. 

This season, Woods is credited with 22 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a forced fumble in 273 snaps over 11 games (one start). The stats won’t jump out at you, but his impact was immense. According to PFF grades, Woods was Clemson’s best-graded defender (86.5) and was the eighth highest-rated defensive lineman in the country. 

Woods wasn’t the only one to make an appearance here, with TJ Parker earning first-team All-American on defense and Harris Sewell earning an honorable mention nod on offense. Robert Gunn III was also recognized as a kickoff specialist. 

Clemson’s freshman class had a fantastic year.

Clemson’s freshman class had a phenomenal performance in the Tigers’ win over Georgia Tech

Clemson’s freshman class has been unreal this season, as seen in their performance against Georgia Tech.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did a fantastic job with their 2023 freshman class, and they showed it in their phenomenal performance in the Tigers’ 42-21 win over Georgia Tech. 

After today, it’s tough to argue against the Tigers having one of the best freshman classes in the country, as we saw true freshmen on offense and defense make a tremendous impact in this dominant win. While some have been doing it all season, others made a name for themselves in this performance. 

On offense, wide receiver Tyler Brown continued to do his thing. Brown recorded seven catches for 41 yards, including a catch-of-the-year candidate on a 3-yard one-handed touchdown grab. It is one of the best catches you’ll see this season. 

Tight end Josh Sapp got some good looks in this matchup, with two catches for 17 yards and a touchdown. The work of freshman offensive lineman Harris Sewell helped make all of this possible. 

On defense, while defensive tackle Peter Woods continued to do his thing, freshmen in the secondary were the big story from this game. The Tigers had four freshmen record an interception, with three being from true freshmen. Avieon Terrell, Kylon Griffin, Kahil Barnes, and Shelton Lewis all had interceptions, with Lewis taking it 46 yards for a touchdown.

Clemson’s freshman class looks like it will be a special group for the program.

Swinney shares an injury update on standout freshman Peter Woods

Swinney updated the injury status of Peter Woods.

As Clemson deals with multiple injuries approaching their huge Week 10 matchup against Notre Dame, head coach Dabo Swinney update the status of multiple Tigers, including standout freshman Peter Woods.

After not practicing last week and ultimately missing the NC State game, it sounds like Woods is on a good pace heading into Saturday. Swinney sounded optimistic about his status heading into the weekend, but there are no guarantees with the day-to-day label.

“He got back to practice this week. We are really encouraged by how he’s looked,” Swinney said.

Woods situation is one we will monitor closely, as he is a crucial part of the Tigers’ defensive line. Hopefully, he will be ready for Saturday.

Woods spotted in walking boot, per report

Clemson might be without one of its top defensive linemen against Miami on Saturday.

Clemson might be without one of its top defensive linemen on Saturday.

True freshman defensive tackle Peter Woods was spotted in a walking boot prior to the Tigers’ Saturday night matchup versus Miami, according to The Clemson Insider.

A former five-star recruit, Woods has played a critical role on Clemson’s defense, recording eight total tackels (one for loss) over six games.

If Woods is unable to suit up, Payton Page and DeMonte Capehart could have expanded roles alongside starting defensive tackles Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro when Clemson and Miami kick off at 8 p.m. EDT on Saturday.

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Three Tigers named midseason true freshman All-Americans by 247Sports

Clemson’s true freshmen have been phenomenal this season.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did fine work recruiting in the 2023 class, as they brought in multiple new Tigers who have had an immediate impact on the team. 

On both sides of the ball, we’ve seen true freshmen earn playing time and perform at a high level. Without multiple of these new Tigers, this Clemson team would be in a lot worse shape than many would expect heading into this season.

At the midseason point, 247Sports released their true freshmen All-Americans, with three Tigers making the team. Here is a look at each of those three Tigers and what writer Chris Hummer had to say about them.

Grading Clemson’s defense at the halfway point of the season

Clemson’s defense has been near elite this season, grading out well.

Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and the Clemson defense have had a near-elite start to this 2023 season, with the unit looking like one of the best in the country through six games.

Clemson (4-2, 2-2 ACC) has had an up-and-down season, and two losses were not expected out of this team in the first half of the season. Even so, this Clemson defense has been this team’s most impressive and consistent part.

From veteran stars playing at a high level to freshmen bursting onto the scene and making a name for themselves, this unit has had some excellent performances. It is yet another top-tier defense from this program.

Here is a grade for each part of Clemson’s defense at the halfway point of this season.